Coffee beans are undoubtedly the preferred coffee of the most demanding consumers. This type of coffee differs from pre-ground coffee in its freshness, flavor and aroma. The freshness of your coffee bean is what gives it its full aroma. The fresher the coffee bean, the better your chances of enjoying a delicious drink.
However, how is the freshness of coffee beans determined? To choose your coffee bean, you must refer to the date of harvest, the date of roasting and the moment when it was ground. Here are some explanations.
Coffee beans are the purest form of coffee available. Initially, it was in this form that coffee arrived on the European continent, from Ethiopia and the countries of the Middle East. It was originally French, Italian and Dutch traders who introduced coffee beans to the Mediterranean basin.
When purchased in this form, the coffee retains almost all of its taste and organoleptic properties. By opting for coffee beans, you are also sure to control the flavors of your drink. You can, in fact, control the size of your grind and its freshness in order to fully appreciate the powerful and complex aromas of your beverage.
Note, however, that not all bean coffees offer the same flavors depending on their country of origin (Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, etc.). They don't have the same strength or roast. So make sure you buy coffee beans that match your tastes (Robusta, Arabica, etc.).
One notable advantage of coffee beans is their freshness. Its aromatic complexity is only revealed when it is ground, just before it is prepared. When preparing coffee beans, it is not uncommon to speak of fresh coffee. Note that the freshness of coffee beans depends on :
Coffee is a fruit that is harvested once or twice a year, over relatively short periods, ranging from three to four months. However, the harvesting periods vary depending on the location of the fields. Generally, in the northern hemisphere, the harvest is spread out from October to April. In the southern hemisphere, it takes place from May to December.
In general, coffee producing countries must respect seasonality to ensure the freshness of the beans. They must also be harvested at the right time. Once the coffee berries are harvested, they are processed, packaged and exported for roasting. The ideal is to go as fast as possible through these different stages, so as not to impact the freshness of the green coffee. In this way, the coffee beans do not suffer the negative effects of time, such as aging or oxidation.
Roasting green coffee means making it consumable under the effect of heat and thus revealing its aromas. However, for roasting to be effective and to reveal the full organoleptic potential of the coffee beans, the raw materials must be of impeccable quality. The ideal is therefore to roast green coffee from the latest harvest.
However, the roasting date also plays a crucial role in the freshness of the coffee. This stage should only last a few days, or even a few weeks. After eight weeks of roasting, the coffee may lose its aromatic intensity and become unfit for consumption. When you buy a package of coffee beans, be sure to note the roasting date. It is generally recommended to use coffee beans within one month of roasting to fully enjoy all their flavors.
Finally, the freshness of coffee beans also depends on the grinding. The rule is to grind your coffee when you are about to consume it. Indeed, the longer you wait to consume a coffee that you have just ground, the more the coffee risks losing its intensity and aromatic richness. So don't make the mistake of grinding your coffee in large quantities and storing it in cans. This is the best way to lose all the flavours of the coffee beans.
Note that once your coffee starts to stale, there is very little chance that you will be able to recover it. However, it is possible to slow down this process by following some basic conservation rules.
To preserve your coffee beans, keep them well protected from the air. After each use, close the bag properly or transfer it to a completely airtight container to avoid mistakes. The oxidation of coffee beans in contact with air can be fatal. This is why you should never leave them in the open air.
Likewise, remember to keep your coffee beans dry, away from humidity. Moisture can really spoil the freshness of your coffee. Also remember to protect your coffee from the sun. Ideally, avoid storing it on windowsills. Instead, choose cupboards or a dark corner of your kitchen.
Finally, it is common to hear that the best way to store coffee beans for as long as possible is in the refrigerator or freezer. Unfortunately, this practice does not increase the shelf life of your product. Worse, it greatly distorts the freshness of your coffee.
Finally, to determine the freshness of the coffee beans, you can check the roasting date of the product and its harvest date. In the same way, it is better to grind your coffee beans from the moment you plan to drink a cup of coffee, at the moment of extraction and preparation with the coffee machine of your choice.
Finally, avoid storing too much coffee. It's best to limit yourself to no more than three or four weeks of consumption. That way you'll be sure to have fresh coffee every moment of the day!
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